censorship
Friday 4.6.2021 Belarus - Latest Developments -
Proposed law amendments in Belarus pose serious threats to Freedom of Expression and Press
The increased detention of over 480 journalists between 2020 and 2021, the searching of editorial offices and homes of journalists and the forced diversion of the Ryanair flight 4978 from Athens to Vilnius that subsequently led to the detention of journalist and political activist Roman Protasevich show that the Belarusian authorities are taking action to hinder freedom of the press. This is evident in the introduction of new amendments on 24th May 2021 that threaten the work of journalists. These are amendments to the Law on Mass Events, the Law on Mass Media, and the Law on Telecommunications. Read more
Wednesday 2.6.2021 Myanmar - Latest Developments -
Political prisoners tortured by Myanmar junta while activists criminalised and killed
Over the last month there have been reports of torture or other ill-treatment of political prisoners by the military junta as well as activists being attacked and killed. Activists also continue to face trumped up charges by the junta such as treason. Journalists continue to be targeted for their reporting while the junta is seeking to further limit the internet. Read more
Tuesday 25.5.2021 North Korea - Latest Developments -
Expansion of prison camps in North Korea as people suffer from COVID-19 restrictions
In recent months there have been reports of the expansion of prison camps, the use of forced labour from the country’s network of prison camps to mine coal and other minerals as well as intensified restrictions on communications with the outside world. Read more
Thursday 20.5.2021 Mexico - Latest Developments -
World Press Freedom Day in Mexico marked by killing of journalist
On World Press Freedom Day, 3rd May 2021, independent reporter Benjamín Morales was found dead with gunshot wounds in Sonoyta, Sonora state. Local outlets reported that police said “a message” had been left with the journalist’s body, but its contents were not disclosed. Read more
Wednesday 19.5.2021 Colombia - Latest Developments -
Protests against tax reform lead thousands to the streets in Colombia, face brutal police repression
Since 28th April 2021, nationwide protests sparked by a proposed tax reform have been brutally repressed by Colombian law enforcement. Mobilisation has continued after nearly three weeks, with protests growing to encompass multiple grievances and demands for social justice. Read more | Read in Spanish
Wednesday 19.5.2021 Tajikistan - Latest Developments -
Crackdown on independent media outlets, lawyers and political activists continues
Freedom of expression and information are so tightly controlled in Tajikistan that it has become virtually impossible for journalists to cover issues which the authorities perceive to be “sensitive” without endangering their safety or that of their relatives. The authorities use legal provisions which punish incitement to hatred or discord or “spreading of false information” to silence critical voices and create a climate of fear. Apart from targeting independent journalists, state persecution is particularly aimed at human rights lawyers and political opponents.
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Wednesday 19.5.2021 China - Latest Developments -
Systematic persecution of activists, journalists and critics in mainland China and Hong Kong
The assault on civic space has continued in China into 2021. Over the last few months civil society has reported the harassment, arrest, prosecution, torture and even death in custody of human rights defenders and journalists in mainland China. Serious crimes continue to be reported against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, including an escalation of baseless prosecutions. In Hong Kong, the authorities have continued their persecution of pro-democracy activists with arrests and convictions for peaceful protests under the draconian national security law as well as targeting of journalists for their reporting.
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Thursday 13.5.2021 Slovenia - Latest Developments -
Janša’s government continues its attack on media freedom; spreads misinformation about CSOs
Prime Minister Janez Janša's government has continued its attacks on CSOs and the media. In February 2021, the Slovene Democratic Party sent out a questionnaire to all households with a series of misleading and suggestive questions about the media and non-governmental organisations. In addition, CSOs reported that PM Janša once again used incorrect data regarding NGO financing during a vote of no confidence in parliament. Whilst the NGOs who are facing eviction from Metelkova have managed to successfully litigate to preserve their rights via a complaint to the Constitutional Court, the government continues to undermine CSOs through inserting similar restrictions in other bills, which are now up for parliamentary consideration. Numerous developments took place in relation to media freedom: journalists continue to face online attacks from the Prime Minister, there have been attempts to undermine the national press agency and attempts to censor media from reporting on COVID-19.
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Wednesday 12.5.2021 Myanmar - Latest Developments -
Crackdown on activists, protesters continue in Myanmar despite ASEAN summit and global calls
Over the last month, the deadly crackdown on protests has continued. The Myanmar junta added a ban on satellite television while journalists continue to be targeted. Protest leaders have been targeted by the junta with arrests and fabricated charges while a leading human rights monitoring group has been accused of operating illegally. Read more
Wednesday 12.5.2021 Italy - Latest Developments -
Wiretapping of journalists raises red flag for press freedom
In April 2021, the Senate approved the proposal to grant Patrick Zaki Italian citizenship and it is now up to the government to formally decide on the matter. Zaki, an Egyptian student and human rights activist at the University of Bologna has been kept in prison by Egyptian authorities for more than 14 months, in violation of his fundamental rights. Several protests against COVID-19 measures and labour rights took place during this period. Dozens of Italian and foreign journalists and their sources have been secretly recorded as part of an investigation into the alleged link between some sea rescue NGOs and migrant smugglers. In March 2021 prosecutors took the decision to charge some NGOs, including Médecins sans Frontières and Save the Children, for collaboration with people smugglers, after almost four years of investigations. Media watchdog organisations have labelled the recording of journalists as a threat to press freedom.
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